Michigan | Mid-Michigan
Red Cedar RiverMcCormick Park Launch to Red Cedar Roadside Park
A water-trail-supported Red Cedar River reach from Williamston's public McCormick Park launch to the Red Cedar Roadside Park take-out west of town.
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Need to know
Why this call
Route overview
Trip details
Access rules, camping, seasonal conditions and trip length.
Distance, difficulty, rules and camping
Plan ahead
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Plan
Plan your trip
Launch points, shuttle details, distance, and access notes.
Route logistics
Access and shuttle
A documented Williamston water-trail reach from McCormick Park to Red Cedar Roadside Park using direct USGS 04111379 telemetry near the put-in. The 18 cfs screen is a planning aid, not a safety guarantee.
Access map
Put-in
McCormick Park public canoe/kayak launch, WilliamstonMcCormick Park is a public carry-in launch with parking and restrooms; verify current hours and carry conditions.
Take-out
Red Cedar Roadside Park river accessThe water-trail source warns that rapids below McCormick are not suitable for beginning paddlers; scout, portage, or use the below-rapids Williamston landing instead.
Road shuttle
Access notes and hazards
Access caveats
- McCormick Park is a public carry-in launch with parking and restrooms; verify current hours and carry conditions.
- The water-trail source warns that rapids below McCormick are not suitable for beginning paddlers; scout, portage, or use the below-rapids Williamston landing instead.
- Red Cedar Roadside Park has direct riverbank access with a carry across the lawn; verify seasonal restroom, parking, and bank conditions.
- Do not assume intermediate private-bank exits or informal camping; use only named public endpoints.
Watch for
- Williamston rapids, low water, shallow sections, fallen trees, and changing current.
- Rapid rises after storms and cold water.
- Carry distance at Roadside Park and shuttle timing.
Plan this paddle
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Conditions
Water levels, gauge history, and hourly forecast
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USGS measurements
More about this gauge
These measurements come from the gauge station. Water depth and current can differ along your trip.
River camera · USGS
View at the gauge
Red Cedar River near Williamston, MI. This view may be outside your paddling reach. Images are periodic and do not establish safe conditions.
Gauge detail
Water-level history and forecastDetailed view
Gauge
Recent trend
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Route gallery
Photos
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Score & sources
Why this score
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Why this scoreData reliability: checking
This rating reflects whether the gauge measures this part of the river, whether published water-level guidance is available, and how recently the data was updated.
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Data behind the scoreWater levels, published guidance and update times
These readings and published water-level limits help explain today’s score.
| Gauge site | Red Cedar River near Williamston, MI |
| Discharge | Checking |
| Gauge height | Checking |
| 24h trend | Checking |
| 24h change | Checking |
| Current band | Checking |
| Rain last 24h | Checking |
| Rain last 72h | Checking |
| Air temp | Checking |
| Water temp | Checking |
| Wind | Checking |
| Gusts | Checking |
| Rain timing | Checking |
| Preferred range | Needs paddler reports |
| Known low-water floor | 18 cfs |
| High threshold | Water-level guidance unavailable |
| Evidence strength behind the range | Official data source |
| Gauge observed | Checking |
| Paddle Today updated | Checking |
| Main source behind this score | USGS 04111379 long-term daily discharge statistics |
| Gauge source | Checking |
| Weather source | Checking |
| Rainfall source | Checking |
NotesWhat to know before you go
These notes cover the access details, route quirks, and source caveats most likely to matter once you get there.
- Route definitionMcCormick Park Launch to Red Cedar Roadside Park
The Red Cedar River Water Trail documents the Williamston launch, the six-mile downstream connection to the MDOT/Red Cedar Roadside Park, and the rapids warning for novice paddlers.
- Public endpoints and coordinatesMcCormick Park public launch to Red Cedar Roadside Park public river access
Outdoor Michigan publishes the McCormick Park launch coordinate; the water-trail page publishes the Roadside Park coordinate and describes both public accesses.
- Live gauge and thresholdUSGS 04111379; 18 cfs conservative minimum-only screen
USGS provides direct discharge telemetry and 39 water years of daily statistics near Williamston. The 18 cfs floor is a planning screen from the station's 25th percentile, not a paddling or safety guarantee.
- Safety and river characterShort water-trail reach with upstream Williamston rapids and changing wood/current
The water-trail source explicitly warns that the rapids below McCormick are not suitable for beginning paddlers; scout, portage, or use the below-rapids landing instead.
- Camping and logisticsDay route with shuttle; no on-route camping assumed
Stage the Roadside Park take-out before launching and use designated nearby lodging or campgrounds; do not camp on park or private river frontage.
Verify it yourselfCheck the source links
Use these links to double-check the gauge, route details, and access notes before you head out.
Paddler reports
Recent notes from paddlers
A few quick notes from people who were on this route recently.
Reports
Paddler reports
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Quick answers
Red Cedar River paddling FAQ
What water level is best for the McCormick Park Launch to Red Cedar Roadside Park route on the Red Cedar River?
Paddle Today watches Red Cedar River near Williamston, MI and uses 18 cfs as the conservative low-water floor for this route. The ideal range still needs more paddler reports.
Where does the McCormick Park Launch to Red Cedar Roadside Park route on the Red Cedar River start and end?
This route starts at McCormick Park public canoe/kayak launch, Williamston and ends at Red Cedar Roadside Park river access, Approximately 6 river miles planning reach on the water.
Is the McCormick Park Launch to Red Cedar Roadside Park route on the Red Cedar River suitable for beginners?
This is listed as a hard route. Treat the live score as a planning aid, then confirm conditions, hazards, access, and group skill before launching.
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